Freecom launches smallest 2.5-inch portable hard drive

Laptop musicians will definitely be interested

If you're a laptop-based musician, it's almost inevitable that, sooner or later, you'll feel the need to get yourself a portable hard drive. And when you do, you'll want it to be as small as possible.

This being the case, we thought we should brief you on the launch of Freecom's new Mobile Drive XXS. This is billed as a the world's smallest 2.5" external hard drive – the company claims that it's some 27% tinier than its nearest rival – and comes in sizes up to 320GB.

Offering data transfer speeds of up to 480Mbit/s, this USB 2.0 device measures 109.8 x 79.5 x 13.5mm and weighs in at just 155g. It's enclosed in a form-fitting rubber sleeve rather than a casing, which explains its small size and low weight.

The Mobile Drive XXS is PC- and Mac-compatible and should be available pretty much straight away. Prices are as follows: 160GB, £45; 250GB, £60; 320GB £80.